07 November, 2011
MIDNIGHT MOVIE: The Human Centipede 2
Saturday night I went to Brisbane’s first ever screening of The Human Centipede 2 Uncut. The midnight screening was part of the Brisbane International Film Festival and had caused much controversy and hype in the lead up. Held at Tribal Theatre (the old Dendy on George St) the foyer was packed and the screening sold out early.
Rated R18+ and having been banned in Britain (even after 38 cuts were made to the movie) this was the second part to one of the most notorious horror franchises in the world. Described as the most extreme film you will ever see, director Tom Six describes it as making the original look like My Little Pony – and he’s not far off.
The first movie was surrounded by a lot of hype and although the concept is extremely twisted, once you get your head around that the movie itself wasn’t particularly graphic or gory. Although I enjoyed it, I was actually surprised that it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.
The Human Centipede 2 puts paid to any of that. The uncut version of the movie is almost an experiment in itself. How far can the filmmakers go? How much will the censors allow? What place does censorship have in society? How much can you handle? Where do you draw the line?
Far more graphic than the first movie and quite intense, THC2 uncut crosses many lines and was quite difficult to watch in some places. Interestingly enough, it was also quite amusing in many parts, purposefully designed to wrench your emotions through a broad and ever-changing spectrum.
Apparently 2 people fainted at the Brisbane screening and movie goers at another film festival were given vomit buckets as they entered the theatre – a number of which came out full by all reports. It’s certainly confronting and very disgusting in places, but there was really only 2 moments in the film where the thought that they had crossed the line entered my mind.
Upon reflection, I reminded myself that this was the uncut version and really, that’s what the movie was about. Pushing boundaries, exploring the darkness of the human psyche and seeing what audiences can handle. It certainly was an experience.
Would I watch it again? Yep. I’m very interested to see the final cut, the movie that will be released for general audiences and mass consumption. I’m very interested to see how much will be censored.
Watch the first movie. If that one doesn’t bother you so much, give number 2 a go. IF YOU DARE.
If you find the first movie unbearable – DON’T watch number 2. YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT.
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4 comments (+add yours?)
I have never watched the first one but my cousin told me about it and I could barely listen to her description of it. So I guess I shall be declining to watch it. I find that as I am getting older I have a harder time watching stuff that pushes boundaries, although I fully respect and support anyone's right to do so...I definitely do not believe in censorship.
I totally agree Rhonda. Considering the horror perpetuated by human beings upon other human beings that we see reported in the news every night I certainly don't think it's anyone's right to tell me what I can and can't watch. Granted not all things will be everyone's cup of tea but it should definately be up to the individual to decide.
Just to correct one statement - The film was banned in its initial version in the UK, but has now been passed for release after the 30+ cuts were made. Apparently at the BIFF screening someone did a shit in the foyer or planted one there anyway for the cleaners to clean up later, which I think is stupid and weird. It might have been a result of all the hype, since movies just as offensive but not as publicised are available at the video store without much fanfare, and yes I have seen the uncut version. And I also thought it was a horror comedy in parts, with an absolutely brilliant silent-movie-nuanced performance by Laurence Harvey as the misunderstood maniac. The immaturity of actually defecating as some kind of comment made me think about censorship too - like, maybe Queensland just isn't capable of going from Bjelke-Petersen and the typical 1980s banning of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (rated M in other states) to hosting the Australian premiere of Human Centipede II some 20 something years later . . .
Thanks for clearing that up David.
I did hear about that incident. Totally disgusting. Not only do I feel sorry for the poor girl who had to clean it up I just don't understand why someone would do that. It's certainly not going to help the negativity surrounding the film.
Interesting point...and thanks for stopping by.
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